Scarborough Fair (Classical Guitar) | Christopher Parkening Method Vol 2. | Arr. David Brandon

This performance of the familiar English Folk Song "Scarborough Fair" is an arrangement by David Brandon, found in The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 2: Guitar Technique. You can get the method book here: amzn.to/3JssNJ9
Christopher Parkening's Volume 2 is full of terrific technique exercises, etudes, and short performance pieces - including this one! This arrangement of Scarborough Fair is excellent for learning or practicing the following techniques:
• Beginning to read notes in upper positions
• Making the melody line more prominent than the accompaniment
• Diverse right hand patterns and arpeggios
• Vibrato
• Harmonics
"Scarborough Fair" is a classic English ballad with a rich history. Its origins are traced back to as far as 1670, possibly linked to a Scottish ballad titled "The Elfin Knight." This early version presents a narrative where an elf threatens to abduct a young woman unless she performs an impossible task, setting a theme for future iterations of the song.
The lyrics tell a story of impossible tasks given to a former lover who lives in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The melody, as we know it today, was taken from Mark Anderson, a retired lead miner, in 1947. He lived in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, England, and his tune was passed down to a variety of musicians throughout the 20th century, becoming widely recognized when performed by Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s.
The piece's unique refrain-"parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme"- is a characteristic element that became prevalent in 19th-century versions of the song. This detail, along with the mention of the traditional English fair "Scarborough Fair," could have been borrowed from another ballad called Riddles Wisely Expounded.
Simon and Garfunkel made Scarborough Fair even more popular when it appeared as the lead track on the 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. It was also released as a single after it had been featured on the soundtrack to The Graduate in 1968. The song's long-standing tradition, complex narrative, and haunting melody make it a favorite among guitarists and fans alike.
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• Purchase The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 2: amzn.to/3JssNJ9
• Learn more about classical guitar music on my website: richterguitar.com
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Guitarist: Jonathan Richter
Arranger: David Brandon
Piece: Scarborough Fair
Guitar: 2022 German Vazquez Rubio "Hauser Elite"
Mic: Neumann TLM 103
#scarboroughfair #classicalguitar #richterguitar #christopherparkening

[@RichterGuitar]

Thanks for watching! What do you think about this beautiful arrangement of this classic folk song? Leave a comment and let me know! 🍀🎶

[@Maestro_Svyatoslavius]

very good

[@RichterGuitar]

Thanks for watching! 🎶

[@carolann1140]

Beautiful song and exquisitely played. Thank you!

[@RichterGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I really love this arrangement 😊

[@danmark7352]

That’s a wonderful rendition.

[@RichterGuitar]

Thank you! This arrangement is so fun, and the right hand patterns make it easy to bring out the melody! 😄

[@BflatBlue]

Beautiful playing!

[@RichterGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for listening! 🎶🙏

[@anhkietguitar673]

Congratz! Nice play Jonathan. Love this song very much! Apparently, I just learned to play this same song recently, it is not perfect yet and I am still working on it. Thanks for sharing, and have a great day!!!

[@hugokusan8487]

Tanks for your great vidéos.

[@RichterGuitar]

Thanks for watching and your comment! So glad you enjoy them 😊

[@hugokusan8487]

Thanks for your website too. I am beginner since several month and i like your sheets of studies, and your article of history and famous guitar player.

[@RichterGuitar]

@@hugokusan8487 That's awesome to hear! I'm continuing to work on those composer pages, so continue checking back for more! For instance, I just made one for Bach last week - richterguitar.com/classical-guitar/composers/johann-sebastian-bach/

[@oriventura]

great playing, how do you like your GVR guitar?

[@RichterGuitar]

Thanks for commenting! I’m loving it so far. I worked directly with them for a custom build, and the guitar is just sounding better and better. Great balance and clarity on all strings across the fretboard. Easy playability too. Highly recommend!